I am sitting here thinking back to Stacey and Uili's incredibly beautiful day last Saturday! I am speechless, or word-less, as I try to contain the whole wedding day into one blog post - let alone the whole story that brought them to this day!
Winter weddings are magical. They are so unique, and present different challenges for both the photographer and the bride and groom - so they require a lot more creative thought and planning. But Stacey and Willis are a hot couple. And when I say hot, I mean smokin' hot. I knew I was going to have no problems getting nice photos, whatever the weather and light situation was!
While planning a wedding is an incredibly exciting and fun time, I think all brides would agree it doesn't come without its challenges and stresses! And this wedding was no exception. Uili has been playing professional rugby in Italy for the past ten months - meaning they were preparing to marry from opposite sides of the globe. Being in different time-zones, communication was difficult and patchy, and decisions were never able to be made quickly! With that aside, things were all going smoothly, and Stacey was doing a fabulous job at getting everything together in Dunedin.
Then just two days before the wedding, a natural disaster on the other side of the world began to show its enormous effect, and all airlines came to a halt because of ash cloud from Chile's volcano. Talk about stressful! The maid of honour, best man, minister and other family and friends were grounded all around New Zealand and other countries. While they waited for news that would determine whether they would make it to this hugely important wedding, many people were praying hard and huffing and puffing to blow the cloud away. Thankfully, flights started up again, and the majority of people were able to attend!
And what a day it was! Stacey and Uili were amazing. Their love was radiant, the details were perfect, the support of family and friends was hugely obvious, and it couldn't have run more smoothly!
Winter weddings are magical. They are so unique, and present different challenges for both the photographer and the bride and groom - so they require a lot more creative thought and planning. But Stacey and Willis are a hot couple. And when I say hot, I mean smokin' hot. I knew I was going to have no problems getting nice photos, whatever the weather and light situation was!
While planning a wedding is an incredibly exciting and fun time, I think all brides would agree it doesn't come without its challenges and stresses! And this wedding was no exception. Uili has been playing professional rugby in Italy for the past ten months - meaning they were preparing to marry from opposite sides of the globe. Being in different time-zones, communication was difficult and patchy, and decisions were never able to be made quickly! With that aside, things were all going smoothly, and Stacey was doing a fabulous job at getting everything together in Dunedin.
Then just two days before the wedding, a natural disaster on the other side of the world began to show its enormous effect, and all airlines came to a halt because of ash cloud from Chile's volcano. Talk about stressful! The maid of honour, best man, minister and other family and friends were grounded all around New Zealand and other countries. While they waited for news that would determine whether they would make it to this hugely important wedding, many people were praying hard and huffing and puffing to blow the cloud away. Thankfully, flights started up again, and the majority of people were able to attend!
And what a day it was! Stacey and Uili were amazing. Their love was radiant, the details were perfect, the support of family and friends was hugely obvious, and it couldn't have run more smoothly!
We set off for the church, and as Stacey arrived, the nerves set in. This was it... she was about to walk down the aisle, to change her life forever... and for the better!
Beautiful vows and the exchange of rings...
... and they become man and wife! Uili is Tongan, so they had a wonderful Tongan influence through the ceremony.
The amazing wedding cake and cupcakes were made by my talented sister, Kirsten, and her friend Bena! Don't they look amazing?! They were quite a delight on the taste buds too...!
After the cutting of the cake, afternoon tea, and some mingling, the bridal party and I set off for a few hours of photos! But first, we couldn't go beyond photos of the grand Buick outside the stunning East Taieri Church.
They may be quite a different size, but aren't they stunning together?!
We made our way to the cute little Wingatui Station, and had some gorgeous light there!
It was freeeezing, but the bridal party were absolutely amazing! Simon and Isaia were very gentlemanly (is that a word??), and Lisa and Sarita looked incredibly gorgeous! These girls could all be out of a magazine they are so beautiful. They were all a heap of fun and didn't even complain when I made them take their jackets off in the bitter air! Shot guys, you were awesome!
Ah, sigh. Happy sigh. B.e.a.utiful couple.
We found a sweet wee tunnel, which had two fun entrances...
Stacey, you are soooo gorgeous!
The drivers asked where we were going after the railway station. When I said "Briscoes", their faces were priceless. Yes, Briscoes. But it was totally worth it - I managed to track down this awesome tandem bike. I had been thinking about this for ages, and needed the perfect people for it! LOVE these...
Being only a few days prior to the shortest day of the year, the light disappeared quickly, so we needed somewhere fantastic for some after dark photos. Most importantly, somewhere warm and beautiful. And Salisbury Boutique was JUST the place! If you haven't been in there - you MUST! It is the funkiest wee boutique store, with amazing local fashion and design. Clothing, jewellery, underwear, artwork... everything you could possibly want. They were kind enough to let us go wild in their beautiful two story building.
Oh how I wish photos contained sounds right now. This was the most relaxing and peaceful wedding shoot I have ever done. Uili, Simon and Isaia spent the whole time singing in three part harmony, with three of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. I really appreciate harmonies, so it was very hard not to just stop and get lost in the most amazing of songs. Thanks guys for serenading us all!
This is Uili's brother Simon... a little bit of wedding planking has never gone astray...
Stacey and Uili, I can't thank you enough for letting me be a big part of your wedding day! I had such an awesome time, and loved photographing you and your bridal party! Thanks for being so willing to do anything, and for all the hard work you put into planning your wonderful day! Everyone had such a good time and I am sure it was the best day ever for you both! Hope the honeymoon has been more than amazing! All the best for your future together.
Lots of love xx
Lots of love xx